Dave Brady announces run for sheriff

Related Media

Former county commissioner and school board member Dave Brady announced Wednesday that he is running for Douglas County sheriff in 2014.

“The need for new leadership with a fresh perspective in the sheriff’s office is paramount for the challenging times we face as a community and as a law enforcement organization,” Brady said. “I will bring a renewed vision, energy and passion to the office.”

He is running against incumbent Ron Pierini, 61, who announced in May he was seeking a fifth term in office.

Brady admitted in an interview that he was facing an uphill battle against the sheriff who has run unopposed in four elections.

“It’s difficult, but doable,” Brady said. “I am giving the voters a choice which they have not had in the sheriff’s race for 20 years.”

Brady, a certified financial planner, cited his commitment to public service, his law enforcement background and leadership experience.

“My broad-based background, education, training and work experience in both the public and private sector will provide a ‘value-added proposition’ to the position and voters of Douglas County,” he said.

Brady, 58, served on the Douglas County School Board for nine years before being appointed Douglas County commissioner in 2005 by Gov. Kenny Guinn where he served for six years before losing the race in 2010 to Commissioner Lee Bonner.

He has been a reserve deputy sheriff for 15 years.

Prior to relocating to Nevada in 1985, Brady served as a police officer for Redondo Beach, Calif., for eight years. He was a patrolman, traffic officer and worked primarily as a K-9 officer.

“There is no doubt that Ron is respected and well-liked,” Brady said. “But the position calls for new leadership to address the changes in circumstances we now face.”

Brady said since he first went into law enforcement in California, he wanted to be a police chief.

“This decision is 35 years in the making,” he said. “My passion and interest never subsided. The argument for a change in leadership at the sheriff’s office is stronger than it was 10 years ago. We need somebody who can bring multidimensional experience to the office.”

Brady said he anticipated the debate over financial experience vs. law enforcement would be up for discussion in the campaign.

“The role of the sheriff is leadership,” he said. “My campaign will address the pressing issues within the sheriff’s department, and provide a strategy and action plan that will prepare the department to meet the current and future needs of our community.”

Brady said he planned to be more visible in the community than the sheriff is now.

“I plan to lead by listening out in the community,” he said. “When I talk about reallocating resources, I plan to do it in a way that gives residents levels of comfort and confidence.”

For example, Brady said the sheriff’s office has had five “beat” cars patrolling Douglas County, the same number it had 20 years ago, but the population has doubled and the DCSO budget is five times what it was.

“We have staffing that seems appropriate, but we need to adapt and change in the allocation of resources,” he said.

As sheriff, Brady said he would conduct an operational audit, develop a strategic plan to identify immediate and long-term needs of the department, and engage in long-range financial planning.

Brady, a Minden resident, worked as a financial investigator for the state Gaming Control Board and served as treasurer on the board of directors for the Greater Nevada Credit Union in Carson City.

He is president of Brady & Associates, a financial services firm in Carson Valley.

Brady has an associate of arts degree in criminal justice, a bachelor of science degree in public affairs and masters degree in public administration from University of Southern California.